Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)
Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) Visa Australia
The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa is a permanent residency visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently. It is available to applicants nominated by an approved Australian employer for a genuine, full-time position.
The visa has three streams: Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition (TRT), and Labour Agreement. The right stream depends on your work experience, visa status, and employer sponsorship.
What is the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) Visa?
The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) is a permanent employer-sponsored visa for skilled workers. It allows eligible applicants to live, work, and study in Australia permanently after being nominated by an approved Australian employer.
This visa is designed for employers who cannot find a suitable Australian citizen or permanent resident to fill a skilled position.
Types of Subclass 186 Visa Stream
There are three streams under the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186):
Direct Entry (DE) Stream
- A positive skills assessment
- At least 3 years of relevant work experience
- Competent English
- To be under 45 years of age (unless exempt)
- Health and character clearance
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream
- Hold an eligible Subclass 482 visa
- Have worked full-time for the sponsoring employer for at least 2 years
- Continue working in the same occupation
- Meet health and character requirements
Labour Agreement Stream
- Age
- English language
- Skills
- Salary requirements
Direct Entry Stream
About the Direct Entry Stream
The Direct Entry Stream allows skilled professionals to apply directly for Australian permanent residency through employer sponsorship.
It is suitable for applicants outside Australia or those who do not qualify for the TRT pathway.
Stay Period
Permanent residency from the date the visa is granted.
Visa Fees
The base application fee starts from AUD 4,770 for the main applicant.
Additional charges apply for partners and dependent children.
Processing Time
Most applications are processed within 6 to 9 months, although processing times vary depending on the application and supporting documents
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants generally must:
- Be nominated by an approved Australian employer
- Have an eligible occupation
- Hold a positive skills assessment
- Have at least 3 years of skilled work experience
- Be under 45 years of age (unless exempt)
- Meet English, health, and character requirements
Skills and English Requirements
- Obtain a positive skills assessment
- Demonstrate Competent English (usually IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent)
Labour Agreement Stream
About the Labour Agreement Stream
The Labour Agreement Stream is for skilled workers sponsored by employers operating under an approved Labour Agreement with the Australian Government.
These agreements help employers fill skill shortages where standard migration programs are not suitable.
Stay Period
Permanent residency upon visa grant.
Visa Fees
Base application fee starts from AUD 4,770.
Additional fees apply for family members.
Processing Time
Processing varies depending on the Labour Agreement and application complexity.
Applications may take longer than other Subclass 186 streams.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be nominated by an employer with an approved Labour Agreement
- Meet the requirements outlined in the agreement
- Meet health and character requirements
Important Information
Occupation eligibility is based on the approved Labour Agreement.
The previous occupation lists (STSOL, MLTSSL, SOL and CSOL) are no longer used for this stream.
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream
About the TRT Stream
The Temporary Residence Transition Stream allows eligible temporary skilled workers to become Australian permanent residents through employer sponsorship.
This pathway mainly applies to Subclass 482 visa holders.
Stay Period
Permanent residency upon visa grant.
Visa Fees
The base application fee starts from AUD 4,770.
Additional charges apply for family members.
Processing Time
Most TRT applications are processed within 6 to 9 months, depending on individual circumstances.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Hold an eligible Subclass 482 visa
- Have worked for the sponsoring employer for at least 2 years
- Continue in the same occupation
- Be nominated for a genuine position
- Meet health and character requirements
English and Skills Requirements
Applicants generally need Competent English.
A skills assessment is usually not required under the TRT stream.
Age Requirement
Applicants must generally be under 45 years of age unless an exemption applies
Benefits of the Subclass 186 Visa
With a Subclass 186 visa, you may be able to:
- Live permanently in Australia
- Work and study anywhere in Australia
- Access Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system
- Apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible)
- Sponsor eligible family members
- Travel freely to and from Australia for five years
General Eligibility Criteria of the Subclass 186 Visa
Applicants generally must:
- Be nominated by an approved employer
- Meet the age requirement
- Have a genuine job offer
- Meet English requirements
- Meet health and character requirements
- Satisfy the requirements of their chosen visa stream
Health and Character Requirements of the Subclass 186 Visa
Applicants and included family members must meet Australia’s health and character requirements.
This usually includes:
- Medical examinations
- Police clearance certificates
- Character assessment
Eligible Family Members of the Subclass 186 Visa
You may include:
- Your spouse or partner
- De facto partner
- Same-sex partner
- Dependent children
- Stepchildren
All family members must meet health and character requirements.
Why Choose Global E Migration?
Applying for the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa requires careful planning and accurate documentation. Choosing the correct stream, meeting the skills assessment requirements, and preparing a complete application are important for a successful outcome.
At Global E Migration, our registered migration professionals provide personalised guidance throughout the entire process. From assessing your eligibility to preparing your application, we help you navigate every stage with confidence.
Contact Global E Migration today to discuss your Subclass 186 visa options.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa is a permanent residency visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently. To apply, you must be nominated by an approved Australian employer for a genuine, ongoing position.
The Subclass 186 visa has three streams:
- Direct Entry (DE) Stream
- Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) Stream
- Labour Agreement Stream
Each stream has different eligibility requirements based on your work experience, visa status, and employer sponsorship.
The Direct Entry Stream is suitable for skilled workers who:
- Are outside Australia or have limited Australian work experience
- Have a positive skills assessment
- Have at least 3 years of relevant skilled work experience
- Meet the age, English, health, and character requirements
The TRT Stream is for applicants who:
- Hold an eligible Subclass 482 visa
- Have worked full-time for the sponsoring employer for at least 2 years
- Continue working in the same occupation
- Meet health and character requirements
The Labour Agreement Stream is for skilled workers sponsored by employers operating under an approved Labour Agreement with the Australian Government. Eligibility depends on the conditions outlined in the agreement and may include concessions for age, English, or skills.
Most applicants must:
- Be nominated by an approved Australian employer
- Be under 45 years of age (unless exempt)
- Meet the required skills and work experience
- Demonstrate the required English language level
- Meet health and character requirements
- Satisfy the requirements of the chosen visa stream
It depends on the stream.
- Direct Entry Stream: A positive skills assessment is generally required.
- TRT Stream: A skills assessment is usually not required.
- Labour Agreement Stream: Requirements depend on the approved labour agreement.
Applicants are generally required to be under 45 years of age when applying. However, exemptions may apply in certain circumstances, including some labour agreement nominations.
Most applicants must demonstrate Competent English, which is generally equivalent to:
- IELTS overall 6.0
- At least 6.0 in each band
Equivalent English language tests are also accepted.
Yes. You can include eligible family members such as:
- Your spouse or partner
- De facto or same-sex partner
- Dependent children, including stepchildren
All family members must meet Australia's health and character requirements.
Yes. Depending on the stream and your visa status, you can apply for the Subclass 186 visa while you are either inside or outside Australia.
The base visa application fee starts from AUD 4,770 for the main applicant. Additional charges apply for partners and dependent children.
Processing times vary depending on the stream, employer nomination, and application complexity. Most applications are processed within approximately 6 to 9 months.
Yes. Once your Subclass 186 visa is granted, you become an Australian permanent resident. The visa is not permanently tied to your sponsoring employer, although the nominated position must have been genuine at the time of application and visa grant.
The Subclass 186 visa allows you to:
- Live permanently in Australia
- Work and study anywhere in Australia
- Access Medicare
- Sponsor eligible family members
- Travel freely for five years
- Apply for Australian citizenship if you meet the eligibility requirements
Yes. After becoming an Australian permanent resident and meeting the residency, character, and other citizenship requirements, you may be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.
At Global E Migration, we provide professional guidance throughout your employer-sponsored visa journey. Our team helps you assess your eligibility, choose the right Subclass 186 stream, prepare accurate documentation, and submit a complete application to improve your chances of a successful outcome.
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